Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is the third session of the International Grand Committee on Disinformation and 'Fake News'. I welcome to our meeting this afternoon Ms Helen Dixon, Data Protection Commissioner for Ireland; Mr. Paolo Cesarini of the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, DG Connect, of the European Commission; Mr. Marc Rotenberg, president and executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Centre, Washington DC; and Deputy Richard Bruton, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in Ireland. I thank them all for coming here today.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise our guests that any submission or opening statement they make to the committee will be published on the committee's website after this meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The format of the meeting will be the same as previous sessions. All witnesses are asked to give a five-minute opening statement and I will give a ding on my glass after four minutes to let them know they have a minute remaining. I ask Ms Helen Dixon to give her opening statement.